Texas approves state park land swap negotiations with SpaceX despite criticism

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission announced Monday that it has authorized the state to seek to begin land swap negotiations with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, despite facing widespread criticism.

Committee I said I allowed it. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will pursue “the acquisition of approximately 477 acres for a new state park” near the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. In return, Texas will give SpaceX approximately 43 acres of land at Boca Chica State Park in Cameron County.

The commission said the land swap would “result in a tenfold return,” allowing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to build a new state park that would give the public access to fishing, kayaking, hiking and other outdoor activities. He said he could start planning.

“This is an exciting opportunity to acquire land that we and the conservation community have been interested in for many years,” said David Yoskowitz, executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“We are working with Cameron County, city and state officials and the public to share a common vision for Bahia Grande that strengthens protections and expands recreational opportunities for all Texans now and in the future. We look forward to developing this,” Yoskowitz said.

The 43 acres slated to be transferred to SpaceX are “discontinuous,” with the commission saying most of the acres “are not connected to each other or to the areas providing public access at Boca Chica State Park.” It pointed out.

“These small, non-contiguous areas do not provide beach access and are scattered among private properties or right next to SpaceX facilities, meaning they are easily accessible to the public. “Conservation lands are unavailable for use and provide less cohesive wildlife habitat than connected and consistently managed areas.”

Musk moved SpaceX from Delaware to Texas last month after an adverse state court ruling.

texas tribune There were four hours of public testimony during the department’s meeting in Austin, where the vote was held on Monday, with many members of the public reporting they opposed the exchange. Some people expressed concern that the exchange could limit access to beaches at Boca Chica State Park and harm endangered species in the area, the Texas Tribune reported.

The Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club released a statement last week opposing the proposed land swap.

“To be clear, this measure only gives TPWD officials the ability to consider and negotiate this land exchange, including after a potential environmental assessment. This is the only opportunity we have to make a statement,” he said in a statement ahead of the vote.

“The land swap would ultimately result in SpaceX expansion in the Rio Grande Valley, and SpaceX has a history of being a bad neighbor and wreaking havoc on nearby communities and habitat, so we opposes this potential land swap.” The statement was added.

The Hill has reached out to SpaceX for comment.